TRANSPORT CARRIER SYSTEM AND OVERHEAD CONVEYOR DEVICE COMPRISING TRANSPORT CARRIERS FOR TRANSPORTING SUSPENDED GOODS

Abstract

The invention relates to a transport carrier (2) and a transport carrier system for an overhead conveying device (1), in which the transport carrier comprises a universally applicable base body (30) and supporting body (40a, 40b) exchangeable by means of a connecting device (50), which supporting body (40a, 40b) in a first configuration is provided with a completely enclosed receiving opening for transporting transport bags, and in a second configuration is provided with a suspension hook for transporting an article suspended on a clothes hanger. The connecting device (50) comprises a profile groove (60) extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (51) and a profile projection (61) extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The profile groove forms an undercut (62) and is provided with an insertion opening (63) on the end side in the direction of its longitudinal extension. The profile projection comprises a profile web (64) and a profile head (65) formed on the profile web so as to expand the cross section. Moreover, the invention relates to an overhead conveying device with such a transport carrier system and an unloading station for automatic unloading of transport bags suspended on transport carriers.

Claims

1-48. (canceled)

49. A transport carrier (2; 2′) for an overhead conveying device (1), comprising a base body (30), a supporting body (40a, 40b) exchangeably mounted on the base body (30) by means of a connecting device (50) for transporting a hanging article (3), and a vertical longitudinal axis (51), wherein the base body (30) is equipped with a drive section (31), which can cooperate with a guide device (10) and/or a drive de-vice (11) of the overhead conveying device (1), a supporting body connecting section (52), wherein the supporting body (40a, 40b) is equipped with a base body connecting section (53), wherein the connecting device (50) comprises a profile groove (60) extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (51) in one of the base and supporting body connecting sections (52, 53), and a profile projection (61) extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (51) in one of the base and supporting body connecting sections (52, 53), wherein the profile groove (63) forms an undercut (62) and an insertion opening (63) on the end side in the direction of its longitudinal extension, wherein the profile projection (65) comprises a profile web (64) and a profile head (65) formed on the profile web (64) so as to expand the cross-section, wherein the profile projection (61) can be inserted into the profile groove (60) via the insertion opening (63) in an insertion direction (66) oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (51), wherein the connecting device (50) further comprises mutually engageable locking elements (68, 71), which are arranged and formed such that the base body (30) and supporting body (40a, 40b) are arrested so as to be mutually prevented from being displaced in the longitudinal direction of the profile groove (60), if the exchangeable supporting body (40a, 40b) is mounted on the base body (30).

50. The transport carrier according to claim 49, wherein the profile groove (60) is arranged in the supporting body connecting section (52), and the profile projection (61) is arranged in the base body connecting section (53).

51. The transport carrier according to claim 49, wherein the transport carrier (2) comprises a front wall (56) and a rear wall (57), and the profile groove (60) is formed by a profile groove extending from the front wall (70) in the direction of the rear wall (71).

52. The transport carrier according to claim 49, wherein the profile groove (60) is formed by a profile groove continuously opened toward the supporting body (40a, 40b) and along its longitudinal extension.

53. The transport carrier according to claim 49, wherein the locking elements comprise first locking elements (68) which are formed as elastically resilient spring arms, each having a locking lug (70) formed on a spring clip (69), in one of the base and supporting body connection sections (52, 53) on both sides of the profile groove (60), and second locking elements (71) which are formed as locking openings (72) arranged in one of the base and supporting body connection sections (52, 53) on both sides of the profile web (64).

54. The transport carrier according to claim 53, wherein the connecting device (50) comprises receiving slots (80) arranged in one of the base body and supporting body connecting sections (52, 53) on both sides of the profile web (64), each of which forms a support surface (81) extending in the insertion direction (66) of the supporting body (40a, 40b) and a locking opening (72) arranged in a rear end region in the insertion direction (66) of the supporting body (40a, 40b).

55. The transport carrier according to claim 49, wherein the supporting body (40a) is equipped with a completely enclosed receiving opening (54) in a first configuration, and the supporting body (40b) is equipped with a suspension hook (55) in a second configuration.

56. The transport carrier according to claim 49, wherein the supporting body (40b) additionally comprises a front side wall (180) running essentially in parallel to the longitudinal axis (51), a rear side wall (181) running essentially in parallel to the longitudinal axis (51), a lower side wall (182) extending between the front side wall (180) and the rear side wall (181), a receiving section (184) for hanging a hanger (16) of the hanging article (3), formed by the front side wall (180), the rear side wall (181) and the lower side wall (182), an access channel (185) leading into the receiving section (184), via which access channel (185) the hanger (16) of the hanging article (3) is inserted into the receiving section (184), is provided on the front side wall (180) and rear side wall (181) in lower wall sections with guide edges (188) tapering towards each other in the direction toward the lower side wall (182), and a transport lock (190; 190′; 190″), which is arranged above the receiving section (184) with a vertical distance, and forms a stop surface (191), which stop surface (191) limits or impedes a relative shift of the hanger (16) in the direction toward the transport lock (190).

57. The transport carrier according to claim 56, wherein the transport lock (190) comprises an elastically resilient spring arm arranged on the rear side wall (181), which spring arm has a spring clip (192) and a stop (193) arranged on the protruding end, wherein the stop (193) protrudes into the access channel (185) and forms the stop surface (191) on its side wall facing the receiving section (184).

58. The transport carrier according to claim 56, wherein the rear side wall (181) and the spring clip (192) comprise guide elements (194, 195) which can be brought into engagement with one another.

59. The transport carrier according to claim 56, wherein the transport lock (190′) comprises an elastically resilient first spring arm arranged on the front side wall (180), which spring arm has a spring clip (192a) and a stop (193) arranged on the protruding end, and an elastically resilient second spring arm, which is arranged on the rear side wall (181), which second spring arm has a spring clip (192b) and a stop (193) arranged on the protruding end, wherein the stops (193) each protrude into the access channel (185) and form the stop surfaces (191) on a side wall facing the receiving section (184).

60. The transport carrier according to claim 56, wherein the transport lock (190″) comprises a raised area (196) arranged on the rear side wall (181), which raised area (196) protrudes into the access channel (185) and forms the stop surface (191).

61. The transport carrier according to claim 49, wherein the base body (30) comprises a receiving chamber (85) extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (51) and having an opening slot (86) formed on the end side in the direction of its longitudinal extension, and an identifying means (87), in particular a transponder, which can be inserted into the receiving chamber (85) via the opening slot (86).

62. The transport carrier according to claim 61, wherein the receiving chamber (85) comprises a base opened toward the supporting body (40a, 40b) and an elastically resilient spring arm (88), which spring arm has a rest surface and protrudes in the direction toward the base, so that the identifying means (87), in particular the transponder, is supported on the rest surface in the receiving chamber (85) and is held by means of the spring arm (88).

63. The transport carrier according to claim 61, wherein the receiving chamber (85) and the identifying means (87), in particular the transponder, are arranged between the drive section (31) and the supporting body connecting section (52).

64. A transport carrier system for an overhead conveying device (1), comprising a first supporting body (40a) with a base body connecting section (53) and a completely enclosed receiving opening (54) for transporting a hanging article (3), a second supporting body (40b) with a base body connecting section (53) and a suspension hook (55) for transporting a hanging article (3), and a universally applicable base body (30) having a drive section (31), which can cooperate with a guide device (10) and/or a drive device (11) of the overhead conveying device (1), a supporting body connecting section (52), wherein the first supporting body (40a) or the second supporting body (40b) can be exchangeably fastened to the base body (30) by means of a connecting device (50), wherein the first supporting body (40a) together with the universally applicable base body (30) forms a transport carrier (2) in a first configuration, and the second supporting body (40b) together with the universally applicable base body (30) forms a transport carrier (2) in a second configuration, wherein the transport carrier (2) in the first configuration is formed having a completely enclosed receiving opening (54) for transporting a hanging article (3), and the transport carrier (2) in the second configuration is formed with a suspension hook (55) for transporting a hanging article (3), wherein the transport carrier (2) forms a vertical longitudinal axis (51), and wherein the connecting device (50) comprises a profile groove (60) extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (51) in one of the base and supporting body connecting sections (52, 53), and a profile projection (61) extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (51) in one of the base and supporting body connecting sections (52, 53), wherein the profile groove (63) forms an undercut (62) and an insertion opening (63) on the end side in the direction of its longitudinal extension, wherein the profile projection (65) comprises a profile web (64) and a profile head (65) formed on the profile web (64) so as to expand the cross-section, wherein the profile projection (61) can be inserted into the profile groove (60) via the insertion opening (63) in an insertion direction (66) oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (51).

65. The transport carrier system according to claim 64, wherein the connecting device (50) comprises positive engagement elements, which are designed to complement each other and which mesh with each other, of which a first positive engagement element comprises the profile groove (60) and a second positive engagement element comprises the profile projection (61).

66. The transport carrier system according to claim 65, wherein the connecting device (50) forms a torsionally rigid and stable positive connection when the supporting body (40a, 40b) is fastened to the base body (30) so as to be exchangeable by means of the connecting device (50).

67. The transport carrier system according to claim 64, wherein the transport carrier (2; 2′) comprises a base body (30), a supporting body (40a, 40b) exchangeably mounted on the base body (30) by means of a connecting device (50) for transporting a hanging article (3), and a vertical longitudinal axis (51), wherein the base body (30) is equipped with a drive section (31), which can cooperate with a guide device (10) and/or a drive de-vice (11) of the overhead conveying device (1), a supporting body connecting section (52), wherein the supporting body (40a, 40b) is equipped with a base body connecting section (53), wherein the connecting device (50) comprises a profile groove (60) extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (51) in one of the base and supporting body connecting sections (52, 53), and a profile projection (61) extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (51) in one of the base and supporting body connecting sections (52, 53), wherein the profile groove (63) forms an undercut (62) and an insertion opening (63) on the end side in the direction of its longitudinal extension, wherein the profile projection (65) comprises a profile web (64) and a profile head (65) formed on the profile web (64) so as to expand the cross-section, wherein the profile projection (61) can be inserted into the profile groove (60) via the insertion opening (63) in an insertion direction (66) oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (51), wherein the connecting device (50) further comprises mutually engageable locking elements (68, 71), which are arranged and formed such that the base body (30) and supporting body (40a, 40b) are arrested so as to be mutually prevented from being displaced in the longitudinal direction of the profile groove (60), if the exchangeable supporting body (40a, 40b) is mounted on the base body (30), and wherein the profile groove (60) is arranged in the supporting body connecting section (52), and the profile projection (61) is arranged in the base body connecting section (53).

68. An overhead conveying device (1) with transport carriers (2; 2′) for transporting hanging articles (3), one transport carrier (2) of which is formed in a first configuration with a completely enclosed receiving opening (54) for transporting a transport bag, and one transport carrier (2) of which is formed in a second configuration with a suspension hook (55) for transporting a hanging article (3) on a clothes hanger, and with a guide device (10), along which the transport carriers (2) can be moved, and/or a drive device (11), which transfers a driving force to the transport carriers (2), wherein the transport carrier (2) is formed according to claim 49.

69. A transport carrier (2; 2′; 97) for transporting a hanging article (3) on an overhead conveying device (1), comprising a vertical longitudinal axis (51), a base body (30) with a drive section (31), which can cooperate with a guide device (10) and/or a drive device (11) of the overhead conveying device (1), a supporting body (40a) having a front side wall (42) running essentially in parallel to the longitudinal axis (51), a rear side wall (43) running essentially in parallel to the longitudinal axis (51), a lower side wall (90) extending between the front side wall (42) and the rear side wall (43), an upper side wall (91) extending between the front side wall (42) and rear side wall (43), and a receiving opening (54) for hooking in a hanger (16) of the hanging article (3), completely enclosed by the side walls (42, 43, 90, 91), wherein the front side wall (42) and the rear side wall (43) each comprise a lower wall section (92) and an upper wall section (93), wherein the lower wall sections (92) are provided with guide edges (94) tapering towards each other in the direction towards the lower side wall (90) and end in the lower side wall (90), wherein the lower side wall (90) comprises a first rest section (95) and a second rest section (96), which are arranged on both sides of a midplane (98) spanned be-tween the front side wall (42) and the rear side wall (43) and each offset at a distance from the midplane (98), such that the hanger (16) is positioned between the guide edges (94) and can be supported on the first rest section (95) and the second rest section (96), wherein the guide edges (94) enclose an opening angle (α) of less than 90°.

70. The transport carrier according to claim 69, wherein the guide edges (94) each form a rounded guide surface.

71. The transport carrier according to claim 69, wherein the first rest section (95) and the second rest section (96) comprise edges (99) extending in parallel to each other, a minimum length (100) of which is greater than a minimum opening width (101) between the guide edges (94).

72. The transport carrier according to claim 71, wherein the edges (99) each form a rounded rest surface.

73. The transport carrier according to claim 69, wherein the supporting body (40a) is mounted in an exchangeable manner on the base body (30) by means of a connecting device (50), and the connecting device (50) is formed.

74. The transport carrier according to claim 69, wherein the base body (30) comprises a receiving chamber (85) extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (51) and having an opening slot (86) formed on the end side in the direction of its longitudinal extension, and an identifying means (87), in particular a transponder, which can be inserted into the receiving chamber (85) via the opening slot (86).

75. The transport carrier according to claim 74, wherein the receiving chamber (85) comprises a base opened toward the supporting body (40a) and an elastically resilient spring arm (88), which spring arm has a rest surface and protrudes in the direction toward the base, so that the identifying means (87), in particular the transponder, is support-ed on the rest surface in the receiving chamber (85) and is held by means of the spring arm (88).

76. The transport carrier according to claim 74, wherein the receiving chamber (85) and the identifying means (87), in particular the transponder, are arranged between the drive section (31) and the supporting body connecting section (52).

77. An overhead conveying device (1) with transport carriers (2; 2′; 97) for transporting hanging articles (3), a guide device (10), along which the transport carriers (2; 2′; 97) can be moved, and/or a drive device (11), which transfers a driving force to the transport carriers, wherein the transport carrier is formed according to claim 69.

78. A transport carrier (2′) for transporting a hanging article (3) on an overhead conveying device (1), comprising a vertical longitudinal axis (51), a base body (30) with a drive section (31), which can cooperate with a guide device (10) and/or a drive device (11) of the overhead conveying device (1), a supporting body (40b) having a front side wall (180) running essentially in parallel to the longitudinal axis (51), a rear side wall (181) running essentially in parallel to the longitudinal axis (51), a lower side wall (182) extending between the front side wall (180) and the rear side wall (181), an upper side wall (183) extending between the front side wall (180) and the rear side wall (181), and a receiving section (184) for hanging a hanger (16) of the hanging article (3), formed by the front side wall (180), the rear side wall (181) and the lower side wall (182), an access channel (185) leading into the receiving section (184), via which access channel (185) the hanger (16) of the hanging article (3) is inserted into the receiving section (184), wherein the front side wall (180) and the rear side wall (181) each comprise a lower wall section, wherein the lower wall sections are provided with guide edges (188) tapering towards each other in the direction towards the lower side wall (182) and end in the lower side wall (182), wherein the lower side wall (182) comprises a first rest section (95) and a second rest section (96), which are arranged on both sides of a midplane (98) spanned be-tween the front side wall (180) and the rear side wall (181) and each offset at a distance from the midplane (98), such that the hanger (16) is positioned between the guide edges (188) and can be supported on the first rest section (95) and the second rest section (96), wherein the guide edges (94) enclose an opening angle (α) of less than 90°.

79. The transport carrier according to claim 78, wherein the guide edges (188) each form a rounded guide surface.

80. The transport carrier according to claim 78, wherein the first rest section (95) and the second rest section (96) comprise edges (99) extending in parallel to each other, a minimum length (100) of which is greater than a minimum opening width (101) between the guide edges (188).

81. The transport carrier according to claim 80, wherein the edges (99) each form a rounded rest surface.

82. The transport carrier according to claim 78, wherein the supporting body (40b) is mounted in an exchangeable manner on the base body (30) by means of a connecting device (50).

83. The transport carrier according to claim 78, in that the supporting body (40b) additionally forms a transport lock (190; 190′; 190″), which is arranged above the receiving section (184) with a vertical distance, and forms a stop surface (191), which stop surface (191) limits or impedes a relative shift of the hanger (16) in the direction toward the transport lock (190).

84. The transport carrier according to claim 83, wherein the transport lock (190) comprises an elastically resilient spring arm arranged on the rear side wall (181), which spring arm has a spring clip (192) and a stop (193) arranged on the protruding end, wherein the stop (193) protrudes into the access channel (185) and forms the stop surface (191) on its side wall facing the receiving section (184).

85. The transport carrier according to claim 84, wherein the rear side wall (181) and the spring clip (192) comprise guide elements (194, 195) which can be brought into engagement with one another.

86. The transport carrier according to claim 83, wherein the transport lock (190′) comprises an elastically resilient first spring arm arranged on the front side wall (180), which first spring arm has a spring clip (192) and a stop (193) arranged on the protruding end, and an elastically resilient second spring arm arranged on the rear side wall (181), which second spring arm has a spring clip (192) and a stop (193) arranged on the protruding end, wherein the stops (193) each protrude into the access channel (185) and form the stop surfaces (191) on a side wall facing the receiving section (184).

87. The transport carrier according to claim 83, wherein the transport lock (190″) comprises a raised area (196) arranged on the rear side wall (181), which raised area (196) protrudes into the access channel (185) and forms the stop surface (191).

88. An overhead conveying device (1) with transport carriers (2′; 97) for transporting hanging articles (3), a guide device (10), along which the transport carriers (2′; 97) can be moved, and/or a drive device (11), which transfers a driving force to the transport carriers, wherein the transport carrier is formed according to claim 78.

89. An unloading station (104) for automatic unloading a transport bag loaded with at least one article (5), which transport bag comprises a suspended support (17), by means of which the transport bag is suspended on a transport carrier (2; 97), and which comprises a bag body that is adjustable between a transport position and an unloading position, wherein the bag body comprises a front wall (21), which is provided with a base plate (27), a rear wall (22), and an unloading opening (24) formed on a first side of the bag body at least in some regions between the front and rear wall (21, 22), wherein the front wall (21) and rear wall (22) are approximated to one another in the transport position of the bag body, and the article (5) is accommodated between the front wall (21) and rear wall (22), and wherein the front wall (21) and rear wall (22) are moved away from each other in the unloading position of the bag body, and the unloading opening (24) is delimited by the front wall (21) and rear wall (22) and borders on the base plate (27), which unloading station (104) comprises an overhead conveying device (1) for transporting the transport bag into the unloading station (104) and for transporting the transport bag out of the unloading station (104), an opening and closing device (139) for adjusting the bag body between the transport position (closed position) position and the unloading position (opened position), an unloading device (140) for unloading the transport bag, wherein the unloading device (140) comprises an actuation device (156), by means of which the transport bag along with the bag body can be tilted relative to the suspended support (97) and about a tilting axis (157) extending essentially in parallel to the longitudinal extension of the overhead conveying device (1) between a provisioning position (158) and an unloading position (159), wherein in the unloading position (159), the article (5) can be discharged from the transport bag through the unloading opening (24), and wherein the transport carrier (2; 97) comprises a vertical longitudinal axis (51), a base body (30) with a drive section (31), which can cooperate with a guide device (10) and/or a drive device (11) of the overhead conveying device (1), a supporting body (40a) having a front side wall (42) running essentially in parallel to the longitudinal axis (51), a rear side wall (43) running essentially in parallel to the longitudinal axis (51), a lower side wall (90) extending between the front side wall (42) and the rear side wall (43), an upper side wall (91) extending between the front side wall (42) and rear side wall (43), and a receiving opening (54) for hooking in a hanger (16) of the transport bag, completely enclosed by the side walls (42, 43, 90, 91), wherein the front side wall (42) and the rear side wall (43) each comprise a lower wall section (92) and an upper wall section (93), wherein the lower wall sections (92) are provided with guide edges (94) tapering towards each other in the direction towards the lower side wall (90) and end in the lower side wall (90), wherein the lower side wall (90) comprises a first rest section (95) and a second rest section (96), which are arranged on both sides of a midplane (98) spanned be-tween the front side wall (42) and the rear side wall (43) and each offset at a distance from the midplane (98), such that the hanger (16) is positioned between the guide edges (94) and can be supported on the first rest section (95) and the second rest section (96).

90. The unloading station according to claim 89, wherein the opening and closing device (139) comprises an actuation device (141, 142) for automatic opening and closing of the bag body, by means of which actuation device (141, 142) the frame (19) can be pivoted about the axis (20) relative to the suspended support (17) such that the bag body can be adjusted between the transport position and the unloading position.

91. The unloading station according to claim 90, wherein the actuation device comprises a driver mechanism (141, 142) having an inlet section (145) aligned upstream in the transport direction (3) of the transport bag, an outlet section (146) aligned downstream in the transport direction (3) of the transport bag, and an unloading section (147) arranged between the inlet section (145) and the outlet section (146), wherein the inlet section (145) forms a tilted guide track (148) that can be brought into an abutting contact with the frame (19) such that the frame (19) is pivoted during the transport of the transport bag into the unloading station (104), whereby the bag body is adjusted from the transport position into the unloading position.

92. The unloading station according to claim 91, wherein the unloading section (147) forms an essentially horizontal guide track (149) that can be brought into an abutting contact with the frame (19) such that the frame (19) is held in the pivoted deflection position during the unloading operation, whereby the bag body also remains in the opened position.

93. The unloading station according to claim 91, wherein the outlet section (146) forms a tilted guide track (150) that can be brought into an abutting contact with the frame (19) such that the frame (19) is pivoted during the transport of the transport bag out of the unloading station (104), whereby the bag body is adjusted from the unloading position into the transport position.

94. The unloading station according to claim 89, wherein the overhead conveying device (1), for the transport of the transport bag into the unloading station (104) and for the transport of the transport bag out of the unloading station (104), comprises transport carriers (2; 97) movable by means of a drive device (5), wherein the transport carrier (2; 97) and the suspended support (17) are coupled to one another in an articulated manner, whereby the suspended support (17) is pivotable about an axis (16) extending essentially in parallel to the overhead conveying device (1) relative to the transport carrier (2; 97).

95. The unloading station (104) according to claim 89, wherein the actuation device (156) of the unloading device (140) comprises a frame structure (161) that can be tilted by means of a drive (160) between an initial position and an actuation position about an axis extending in parallel to the transport direction (3) of the transport bag, and the actuation device (141, 142) of the opening and closing device (139) is mounted on the frame structure (161).

Description

[0103] These show in a respectively very simplified schematic representation:

[0104] FIG. 1 an overhead conveying device for transporting hanging articles, in a perspective view;

[0105] FIG. 2a an overhead conveying device with a guide device and drive device for frictional drive of the transport carriers, in a front view and partially in a sectional view;

[0106] FIG. 2b an overhead conveying device with a guide device and drive device for positive engagement drive of the transport carriers, in a front view and partially in a sectional view;

[0107] FIG. 2c an overhead conveying device with a guide device but without a drive device for the transport carriers, in a lateral view;

[0108] FIGS. 3a, 3b a transport bag with a bag body, FIG. 3a in the transport position and FIG. 3b in the loading position or unloading position (articles not depicted), in perspective views;

[0109] FIG. 4 a transport carrier system for an overhead conveying device with a universally applicable base body and supporting bodies exchangeable by means of a connecting device, in a first configuration with a completely enclosed receiving opening for transporting a transport bag (shown in FIGS. 3a, 3b), and in a second configuration with a suspension hook for transporting a clothes hanger (only partially shown), in a perspective view;

[0110] FIGS. 4a, 4b a supporting body with a first embodiment of a transport lock in different views;

[0111] FIGS. 4c, 4d a supporting body with a second embodiment of a transport lock in different views;

[0112] FIGS. 4e, 4f a supporting body with a third embodiment of a transport lock in different views;

[0113] FIGS. 4g to 4i an overhead conveying device with a guide device, a transport carrier with a supporting body according to the embodiment in FIGS. 4a, 4b, and a loading station, with a process sequence for loading the transport carrier with a hanger of a hanging article, in a lateral view;

[0114] FIG. 4j the overhead conveying device according to FIG. 4g, in a front view and partially in a sectional view;

[0115] FIG. 5a a first embodiment for a transport carrier with the base body and supporting body separated therefrom in a first configuration with a completely enclosed receiving opening, in a first lateral view;

[0116] FIG. 5b the transport carrier according to FIG. 5a, in a second lateral view;

[0117] FIG. 6a the transport carrier according to FIG. 5a, in a first front view;

[0118] FIG. 6b the transport carrier according to FIG. 5a, in a second front view;

[0119] FIG. 7a a transport carrier with the base body and supporting body separated therefrom in a second configuration with a suspension hook, in a first lateral view;

[0120] FIG. 7b the transport carrier according to FIG. 7a, in a second lateral view;

[0121] FIG. 8a a second embodiment for a transport carrier with a base body and supporting body permanently connected thereto in a first configuration with a completely enclosed receiving opening, in a front view;

[0122] FIG. 8b a partial section of the transport carrier according to FIG. 8a with the supporting body, in an enlarged lateral view;

[0123] FIG. 8c a sectional representation through the front side wall;

[0124] FIGS. 9 to 15 a sequence order of method steps for automatic unloading of one of the transport bags in an automated unloading station, in perspective views;

[0125] FIG. 16a a view onto the unloading device and a schematically shown transport bag according to FIG. 11, said transport bag being in a provisioning position, partially in a sectional view;

[0126] FIG. 16b a view onto the unloading device and a schematically shown transport bag according to FIG. 12, said transport bag being in an unloading position, partially in a sectional view.

[0127] First of all, it is to be noted that in the different embodiments described, equal parts are provided with equal reference numbers and/or equal component designations, where the disclosures contained in the entire description may be analogously transferred to equal parts with equal reference numbers and/or equal component designations. Moreover, the specifications of location, such as at the top, at the bottom, at the side, chosen in the description refer to the directly described and depicted figure, and in case of a change of position, are to be analogously transferred to the new position.

[0128] FIG. 1 shows a section of an overhead conveyor device 1 with transport carriers 2 for transporting hanging articles 3 in a transport direction 4. Classic examples of hanging articles 3 are articles of clothing suspended on clothes hangers, or transport bags for receiving objects. FIG. 1 shows the hanging articles 3 as transport bags. The hanging article 3 is suspended on and below the transport carrier 2. A transport carrier 2 may also transport more than one hanging article 3. The transport bag can be loaded with an article 5. Preferably, a single article 5 is received in the transport bag. In general, more than one article 5 may also be received in the transport bag. The transport bag 2 can transport different articles 5, which vary in their geometry/dimension. The articles 5 are for example cardboard boxes, foil bags (so-called “poly-bags”) or the like. Such foil bags are predominantly used in the textile industry and are for example used for packaging T-shirts, shirts and the like.

[0129] According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the overhead conveying device 1 comprises in a transport section a guide device 10, a drive device 11, and the transport carriers 2 movable along the guide device 10 by means of the drive device 11. The guide device 10 is formed, for example, on a profile rail 12.

[0130] As shown in more detail in FIGS. 2a, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, the transport carriers 2 are moved by means of a friction drive (drive device 11) according to the exemplary embodiment shown. The transport carrier 2 comprises a base body 30 yet to be described further, which forms a drive section 31. The drive section 31 may cooperate with the guide device 10 and drive device 11 (in this transport section). The drive section 31 comprises in particular a (first) roller 32 rotatably mounted on an axle, and a friction surface 33, the latter of which can be brought into frictional contact with an endlessly revolving friction belt 13 of the drive device 11. The (second) roller 32 shown in the Figs. is optional and serves for guiding the transport carrier 2 at a switching point.

[0131] The transport carrier 2 is stored on the guide device 10 in a suspended manner via the (first) roller 32 and can be moved in the transport direction 4 by the friction drive.

[0132] According to an embodiment schematically shown in FIG. 2b, the transport carriers 2 can be moved by means of a positive engagement drive (drive device 11). The transport carrier 2 comprises a base body 30 yet to be described further, which forms a drive section 31. The drive section 31 may cooperate with the guide device 10 and drive device 11 (in this transport section). The drive section 31 comprises in particular a (first) roller 32 rotatably mounted on an axle, and an engagement surface 34, the latter of which can come into interlocking engagement with one of multiple driver elements 14 on an endlessly revolving friction belt 15 (drive belt, drive chain and the like). The (second) roller 32 shown in the Figs. is optional and serves for guiding the transport carrier 2 at a switching point.

[0133] The transport carrier 2 is stored on the guide device 10 in a suspended manner via the (first) roller 32 and can be moved in the transport direction 4 by the positive engagement drive. Such an embodiment is described for example in DE 10 2005 006 455 A1.

[0134] A combination of a friction drive and a positive engagement drive is also possible. Such an embodiment is described for example in EP 2 121 489 B1.

[0135] The described drive devices 12 are in no way to be understood restrictively, but only show different possibilities of how a driving force is transmitted from the drive device 11 to the drive section 31 of the transport carrier 2 (mounted so as to suspended on the guide device 10), in order to move it (so as to be driven) on the guide device 10 in the transport direction 4.

[0136] FIG. 2c shows the overhead conveying device 1 in a transport section, in which a drive device is not provided but only the guide device 10. The guide device 10 is formed, for example, on a profile rail 12 mounted in an inclined manner In this case, the transport carriers 2 (mounted so as to be suspended on the guide device 10) are moved (not driven) on the guide device 10 in the transport direction 4 by means of gravity and without a drive device. The drive section 31 may cooperate only with the guide device 10 (in this transport section).

[0137] FIGS. 3a, 3b show a suspended transport bag (also referred to as “hanging bag”) with a possible embodiment of a bag body. FIG. 3a shows the transport position and FIG. 3b shows an opened position, which relates to the loading position if the transport bag is to be loaded, or to the unloading position if the transport bag is to be unloaded. The article 5 is not depicted in these figures for the sake of clarity. Regarding the unloading station for automatic unloading of a transport bag and the different embodiments of a transport bag, the detailed disclosure in the Austrian patent application AT 520 517 A4 (A50320/2018) and A50059/2019 is made the subject matter of this disclosure.

[0138] The transport bag comprises a hanger 16, which can be hung in a receiving opening 54 for transporting the hanging article 3, which receiving opening 54 is provided on a supporting body 40a of the transport carrier 2 and is completely enclosed. The hanger 16 is preferably fastened to an (optional) suspended support 16 in a rigid manner

[0139] The suspended support 17 and the transport carrier 2 are coupled to one another in an articulated manner by means of a hinged connection. The hinged connection is formed by the supporting body 40a with the receiving opening 54 and the hanger 16.

[0140] According to a possible embodiment, it proves advantageous if the transport bag is unloaded at an automatic unloading station, as it is described, for example, in the Austrian patent application AT 520 517 A4 (A50320/2018) and below. To that end, it may be provided in particular that the suspended support 17 and the transport carrier 2 are coupled to one another in an articulated manner by means of a hinged connection such that the suspended support 17 is pivotable relative to the transport carrier 2 about an axis 18 extending essentially in parallel to the guide device 10 (and/or essentially in parallel to the transport direction 4).

[0141] According to the embodiment shown, the transport bag comprises an (optional) frame 19 and a bag body, which is adjustable (optionally by means of the frame 19) between a transport position (FIG. 3a) and a loading or unloading position (FIG. 3b).

[0142] The (optional) frame 19 is mounted so as to be pivotable on and relative to the suspended support 17, about an axis 20 that is preferably oriented essentially horizontally.

[0143] The bag body comprises [0144] a front wall 21 and a rear wall 22, [0145] a first side edge 23a and a second side edge 23b along the front wall 21 and rear wall 22, [0146] a loading and/or unloading opening 24 formed on a first side of the bag body at least in some regions between the front and rear wall 21, 22, [0147] a side wall stop 25 formed on a second side of the bag body at least in some regions between the front and rear wall 21, 22, against which side wall stop 25 articles 5 can be placed, and [0148] a storage space for storing the articles 5 between the front and rear wall 21, 22.

[0149] In a preferred embodiment, the front wall 21 and rear wall 22 are cut from a flexible (non-rigid) material, in particular cut from a continuous length of textile, length of film, a braid, a knitted fabric, a woven fabric or the like.

[0150] The front wall 21 comprises a first front wall section 26a, a second front wall section 26b and a base plate 27. The base plate 27 is provided in the first front wall section 26a. In particular, the first front wall section 26a comprises the base plate 27 and/or the first front wall section 26a forms the base plate 27. The base plate 27 is dimensionally stable and is preferably designed with a square shape. In general, it may also be rectangular.

[0151] The rear wall 22 comprises a first rear wall section 28a and a second rear wall section 28b. The first rear wall section 28a adjoins the first front wall section 26a, the latter being provided with the base plate 27. The rear wall 22 is formed with a lower rigidity and/or dimensional stability in the first rear wall section 28a than in the first front wall section 26a. In other words, the first front wall section 26a is designed to be more rigid and/or more dimensionally stable compared to the first rear wall section 28a.

[0152] As can be seen in FIG. 3a, the front wall 21 and rear wall 22 are approximated to one another in the transport position, and the article 5 (not shown) is held preferably clamped by means of the base plate 27 and the second rear wall section 28b. Additionally, the article 5 rests on the first rear wall section 28a. In its transport position, the bag body forms in the first rear wall section 28a a transport rest 29 extending between the first side edge 23a and second side edge 23b, which transport rest 29 comprises a transport rest surface slanting in the direction of the side wall stop 25 (thus extending inclined downwards). The transport rest surface adjoins the side wall stop 25.

[0153] As can be seen in FIG. 3b, the front wall 21 and rear wall 22 are moved away from each other, and the loading and/or unloading opening 24 is delimited by the front wall 21 and rear wall 22 and adjoins the first base plate 27 when the bag body is in one of the opened positions, which relates to the loading position if the transport bag is to be loaded, or to the unloading position if the transport bag is to be unloaded (loading and/or unloading position). In the loading and/or unloading position, the storage space is maximized in volume. According to a preferred embodiment, both loading and unloading of the transport bag is carried out via the loading and unloading opening 24. In principle, loading can also be carried out from above, through the frame 19. However, unloading is carried out via the unloading opening 24 according to this embodiment, as well. Loading and/or unloading can be carried out automatically or manually.

[0154] As can be seen in FIGS. 3a, 3b, the front wall 21 is mounted, with the second front wall section 26b, on a front cross strut of the frame 19 in an articulated manner (first pivot bearing), and the rear wall 22 is mounted, with the second rear wall section 28b, on a rear cross strut of the frame 19 in an articulated manner (second pivot bearing).

[0155] FIGS. 2a, 2b, 4, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b (supporting body in a first configuration with a completely enclosed receiving opening) and FIGS. 7a, 7b (in a second configuration with a suspension hook) show different views of a transport carrier 2 for an overhead conveying device, preferably for the overhead conveying device 1 described above, which comprises a base body 30 and a supporting body 40a, 40b exchangeably mounted by means of a connecting device 50 for transporting a hanging article 3. FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c show the supporting body 40a in the operation position mounted on the base body 30, and FIGS. 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b show the supporting body 40a in the preparation position detached from the base body 30. The transport carrier 2 forms a longitudinal axis 51, which is, in particular, oriented vertically when the transport carrier 2 is stored in a suspended manner on the guide device 10.

[0156] The base body 30 is equipped with a drive section 31, which may cooperate with a guide device 10 and/or with a drive device 11 of the overhead conveying device 1, and a supporting body connecting section 52. The supporting body 40a comprises a base body connecting section 53 and, in a first configuration, a completely enclosed receiving opening 54. The supporting body 40b comprises a base body connecting section 53 and, in a second configuration, a suspension hook 55.

[0157] The connecting device 50 comprises a profile groove 60 (first positive engagement element) extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 51 in one of the base and supporting body connecting sections 52, 53, and a profile projection 61 (second positive engagement element) extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 51 in one of the base and supporting body connecting sections 52, 53.

[0158] According to a preferred embodiment, the profile groove 60 (first positive engagement element) is arranged on the base body 30 in the supporting body connecting section 52, and the profile projection 61 (second positive engagement element) is arranged on the supporting body connecting section 40a, 40b in the base body 53.

[0159] The profile groove 60 comprises an undercut 62, which forms an insertion opening 63 on the end side in the direction of its longitudinal extension. The profile projection 61 comprises a profile web 64 and a profile head 65 formed on the profile web 64 so as to expand the cross section. The profile projection 61 can be inserted into the profile groove 60 via the insertion opening 63 in an insertion direction 66 (FIG. 4) oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 51.

[0160] In a preferred embodiment, the undercut profile groove 60 and the profile projection 61 are designed having an essentially T-shaped cross-section.

[0161] As depicted exclusively in FIG. 5b, the transport carrier 2 comprises a front wall 56 and a rear wall 57. The undercut profile groove 60 is formed by a profile groove extending from the front wall 56 in the direction of the rear wall 57. The profile groove ends in front of the rear wall 57, so that a material web 67 remains.

[0162] The undercut profile groove 60 can additionally be formed by a profile groove continuously opened toward the supporting body 40a, 40b and along its longitudinal extension.

[0163] According to a preferred embodiment, the connecting device 50 comprises mutually engageable locking elements 68, 71, which are arranged and formed such that the base body 30 and supporting body 40a, 40b are arrested so as to be mutually prevented from being displaced in the longitudinal direction of the profile groove 60, if the exchangeable supporting body 40a, 40b is mounted on the base body 30, as can be seen in FIG. 2c exclusively.

[0164] The locking elements comprise first locking elements 68, which are formed as elastically resilient spring arms, each having a locking lug 70 formed on a spring clip 69, in one of the base and supporting body connection sections 52, 53 on both sides of the profile groove 60. The locking elements comprise second locking elements 71, which are formed as locking openings 72 arranged in one of the base and supporting body connection sections 52, 53 on both sides of the profile web 64.

[0165] According to a preferred embodiment, the first locking elements 68 (spring arms with locking lugs 70) are arranged on the base body 30 in the supporting body connecting section 52, and the second locking elements (locking openings 72) are arranged on the supporting body 40a, 40b in the base body connecting section 53.

[0166] According to a preferred embodiment, the connecting device 50 comprises receiving slots 80 arranged in one of the base body and supporting body connecting sections 52, 53 on both sides of the profile web 64, each of which forms support surfaces 81 extending in the insertion direction 66 of the supporting body 40a, 40b and a locking opening 72 arranged in a rear end region in the insertion direction 66 of the supporting body 40a, 40b.

[0167] If the supporting body 40a, 40b is moved relative to the base body 30 in the insertion direction 66 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 51, the spring arms are, for example, bent inwards by the locking lugs 70 resting on the support surfaces 81(in a sliding manner), and relax outwards, as soon as the locking lugs 70 have passed the edging of the locking openings 72. For example, sawtooth-like locking lugs 70 engage behind the edging of the locking openings 72.

[0168] The positive connection can be released by the spring arms being deflected in a bending direction extending perpendicular to their main direction of extension such that the locking lugs 70 are brought out of engagement with the edging of the locking openings 72. Simultaneously, the supporting body 40a, 40b is moved towards the longitudinal axis 51 against the insertion direction 66 in a perpendicular direction.

[0169] For this purpose, the connecting device may have access channels 82, which the locking openings 72 lead into. Preferably, a tool may be introduced into the access channels 82, and with that, the locking lugs 70 may be levered out of the locking openings 72.

[0170] As depicted, for example, in FIGS. 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, the base body 30 may comprise a receiving chamber 85 extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 51 and having an opening slot 86 formed on the end side in the direction of its longitudinal extension, and an identifying means 87, which can be inserted into the receiving chamber 85 via the opening slot 86. The identifying means 87 is preferably designed as an RFID transponder.

[0171] In particular, the receiving chamber 85 comprises a base opened toward the supporting body connecting section 52 and an elastically resilient spring arm 88 which has a rest surface, and which protrudes in the direction toward the base. The RFID transponder which is inserted into the receiving chamber 85 is supported on the rest surface and is held by the spring arm 88.

[0172] The receiving chamber 85 and the identifying means 87 are arranged in a transport carrier identifying section 89 between the drive section 31 and the supporting body connecting section 52.

[0173] FIG. 4 shows a transport carrier system for an overhead conveying device, preferably for the overhead conveying device 1 described above. The transport carrier system comprises [0174] a first supporting body 40a in a first configuration with a base body connecting section 53 and a completely enclosed receiving opening 54 for transporting a hanging article 3, [0175] a second supporting body 40b in a second configuration with a base body connecting section 53 and a suspension hook 55 for transporting a hanging article 3, and [0176] a universally applicable base body 31 with a drive section 31, which may cooperate with a guide device 10 and/or with a drive device 11 of the overhead conveying device 1, and a supporting body connecting section 52.

[0177] The first supporting body 40a or the second supporting body 40b in the second configuration may be mounted to the base body 30 so as to be exchangeable by means of the connecting device 50 described above, in order to optionally form a transport carrier 2 in a first configuration with a completely enclosed receiving opening 54 for transporting a hanging article 3 or a transport carrier 2 in a second configuration with a suspension hook 55 for transporting a hanging article 3. The transport carrier 2 in the first configuration preferably serves for transport in a transport bag, wherein its hanger 16 is hung into the receiving opening 54 (see for example FIG. 3a). The transport carrier 2 in the second configuration preferably serves for transporting an article of clothing on a clothes hanger, wherein the hanger 16 of the clothes hanger is hung on the suspension hook 55 (see FIG. 4, shown in dot-dashed lines in some sections).

[0178] Irrespective of the configuration which the supporting bodies 40a, 40b have, these are always provided with the structurally equal and/or identical base body connecting section 53.

[0179] FIGS. 5a, 5b show the first supporting body 40a in further detail. In a simplified design, it comprises [0180] a front side wall 42 running essentially in parallel to the longitudinal axis 51, [0181] a rear side wall 43 running essentially in parallel to the longitudinal axis 51, [0182] a lower side wall 90 extending between the front side wall 42 and rear side wall 43, and [0183] an upper side wall 91 extending between the front side wall 42 and rear side wall 43.

[0184] The receiving opening 54 for hanging a hanger 16 of the hanging articles 3 is completely enclosed by the side walls 42, 43, 90, 91. The front side wall 42 and the rear side wall 43 each comprise a lower wall section 92 and an upper wall section 93. The lower wall sections 92 are provided with guide edges 94 tapering towards each other in the direction towards the lower side wall 90 and end in the lower side wall 90. The first supporting body 40a may optionally have a first rest section 95 and a second rest section 96 on the lower side wall 90, as will be described below.

[0185] In FIGS. 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f described below, a supporting body 40b for a transport carrier 2′ with different designs of a transport lock 190, 190′, 190″ is described. FIGS. 4g to 4j show an overhead conveying device 1 having a guide device 10 and a drive device 11 for frictional drive of the transport carriers 2′. As described above, alternatively, the drive device may be formed for positive engagement drive of the transport carriers 2′. However, it is also possible that the overhead conveying device 1 comprises a guide device 10, however, does not comprise a drive device 11.

[0186] At this point, it should be noted that in FIGS. 4a, 4j, the embodiment is shown according to which the transport carrier 2′ comprises the base body 30 described above and the supporting body 40b exchangeably mounted by means of a connecting device 50 for transporting a hanging article 3.

[0187] As opposed to this, the base body 30 and the supporting body 40b may also be connected to one another permanently. Thus, the connecting device 50 is omitted, which is, however, not shown in these figures.

[0188] According to this embodiment, the transport carrier 2′ for transporting a hanging article 3 on the overhead conveying device 1 comprises [0189] the vertical longitudinal axis 51, which is, in particular, oriented vertically when the transport carrier 2′ is stored in a suspended manner on the guide device 10, [0190] the base body 30 with the drive section 31, which can cooperate with the guide device 10 and/or a drive device 11 of the overhead conveying device 1, [0191] the supporting body 40b having [0192] a front side wall 180 running essentially in parallel to the longitudinal axis 51, [0193] a rear side wall 181 running essentially in parallel to the longitudinal axis 51, [0194] a lower side wall 182 extending between the front side wall 180 and the rear side wall 181, [0195] an upper side wall 183 extending between the front side wall 180 and the rear side wall 181, and [0196] a receiving section 184 for hanging the hanger 16 of the hanging article 3, formed by the front side wall 180, the rear side wall 181 and the lower side wall 182, [0197] an access channel 185 leading into the receiving section 184, via which access channel 185 the hanger 16 of the hanging article 3 is inserted into the receiving section 184.

[0198] The front side wall 180 and the rear side wall 181 each comprise a lower wall section. The lower wall sections are provided with guide edges 188 tapering towards each other in the direction towards the lower side wall 182 and end in the lower side wall 182.

[0199] According to an advantageous first embodiment, the lower side wall 182 comprises the first rest section 95 and the second rest section 96, which are arranged on both sides of the mid-plane 98 spanned between the front side wall 180 and the rear side wall 181 and each offset at a distance from the midplane 98, such that the hanger 16 is positioned between the guide edges 188 and can be supported on the first rest section 95 and the second rest section 96.

[0200] According to an advantageous second embodiment, the supporting body 40b additionally comprises a transport lock 190, which is arranged above the receiving section 184 with a vertical distance, and forms a stop surface 191, which stop surface 191 limits or impedes a relative shift of the hanger 16 in the direction toward the transport lock 190.

[0201] According to the second embodiment (which may form the subject matter of an independent application), the transport carrier 2′, for transporting a hanging article 3 on the overhead conveying device 1, comprises [0202] the vertical longitudinal axis 51 (which is, in particular, oriented vertically when the transport carrier 2′ is stored in a suspended manner on the guide device 10), [0203] the base body 30 with the drive section 31, which can cooperate with the guide device 10 and/or a drive device 11 of the overhead conveying device 1, [0204] the supporting body 40b having [0205] a front side wall 180 running essentially in parallel to the longitudinal axis 51, [0206] a rear side wall 181 running essentially in parallel to the longitudinal axis 51, [0207] a lower side wall 182 extending between the front side wall 180 and the rear side wall 181, [0208] an upper side wall 183 extending between the front side wall 180 and the rear side wall 181, and [0209] a receiving section 184 for hanging the hanger 16 of the hanging article 3, formed by the front side wall 180, the rear side wall 181 and the lower side wall 182, [0210] an access channel 185 leading into the receiving section 184, via which access channel 185 the hanger 16 of the hanging article 3 is inserted into the receiving section 184, [0211] a transport lock 190, which is arranged above the receiving section 184 with a vertical distance, and forms a stop surface 191, which stop surface 191 limits or impedes a relative shift of the hanger 16 in the direction toward the transport lock 190.

[0212] Accordingly, the transport carrier 2′ may also form a lower side wall 182 which comprises no additional first rest section 95 and second rest section 96.

[0213] An advantageous third embodiment results from the combination of the first embodiment and the second embodiment.

[0214] According to the third embodiment (which may form the subject matter of an independent application), the transport carrier 2′, for transporting a hanging article 3 on the overhead conveying device 1, comprises [0215] the vertical longitudinal axis 51 (which is, in particular, oriented vertically when the transport carrier 2′ is stored in a suspended manner on the guide device 10), [0216] the base body 30 with the drive section 31, which can cooperate with the guide device 10 and/or a drive device 11 of the overhead conveying device 1, [0217] the supporting body 40b having [0218] a front side wall 180 running essentially in parallel to the longitudinal axis 51, [0219] a rear side wall 181 running essentially in parallel to the longitudinal axis 51, [0220] a lower side wall 182 extending between the front side wall 180 and the rear side wall 181, [0221] an upper side wall 183 extending between the front side wall 180 and the rear side wall 181, and [0222] a receiving section 184 for hanging the hanger 16 of the hanging article 3, formed by the front side wall 180, the rear side wall 181 and the lower side wall 182, [0223] an access channel 185 leading into the receiving section 184, via which access channel 185 the hanger 16 of the hanging article 3 is inserted into the receiving section 184, [0224] a transport lock 190, which is arranged above the receiving section 184 with a vertical distance, and forms a stop surface 191, which stop surface 191 limits or impedes a relative shift of the hanger 16 in the direction toward the transport lock 190, [0225] wherein the lower side wall 182 comprises the first rest section 95 and the second rest section 96, which are arranged on both sides of the midplane 98 spanned between the front side wall 180 and the rear side wall 181 and each offset at a distance from the mid-plane 98, such that the hanger 16 is positioned between the guide edges 188 and can be supported on the first rest section 95 and the second rest section 96.

[0226] As already described in detail above and as is to be applied likewise to the embodiments described in FIGS. 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f, the guide edges 188 enclose an opening angle (a) of less than 90°. It is also advantageous if the guide edges 188 each form a rounded guide surface. According to a possible embodiment, the first rest section 95 and the second rest section 96 comprise edges 99 extending in parallel to each other, the minimum length 100 of which is greater than a minimum opening width 101 between the guide edges 188. The edges 99 may each form a rounded rest surface.

[0227] FIGS. 4a and 4b show a first embodiment of the transport lock 193 which comprises an elastically resilient spring arm arranged on the rear side wall 181, which spring arm has a spring clip 192 and a stop 193 arranged on the protruding end, wherein the stop 193 protrudes into the access channel 185 and forms the stop surface 191 on its side wall facing the receiving section 184. In FIG. 4a, the spring clip 192 is in a (non deflected) locked position, where the stop surface 191 limits a relative shift of the hanger 16 in the direction toward the transport lock 190. Moreover, in the locked position of the spring clip 192, the access channel 185 is narrowed in cross-section by the stop 193 to such an extent that a schematically depicted hanger 16 cannot enter the access channel 185.

[0228] Although this is not shown in FIGS. 4a, 4b, 4g and 4i, it is generally also possible that the spring clip 192 may rest with its projecting end against the front side wall 180 and/or upper side wall 183 when the spring clip 192 is in the locked position.

[0229] In the (deflected) release position of the spring clip 192, the access channel 185 is widened in cross-section to such an extent that a schematically depicted hanger 16 can be fed onto the receiving section 184 via the access channel 185, as can be seen in FIG. 4h.

[0230] It may also prove advantageous for the spring clip 192 to be supported on a bearing point 197 in the rear end region. The bearing point 197 may be formed on the spring clip 192, such that the bearing point 197 rests against/may rest against the rear side wall 181, in particular when the spring clip 192 is in a (non deflected) locked position. Alternatively, the bearing point 197 may be formed on the rear side wall 192, such that the bearing point 197 rests against/may rest against the spring clip 192, in particular when the spring clip 192 is in a (non deflected) locked position. It may also be provided that the supporting body 42b is equipped with non depicted additional weight which is arranged on the rear side wall 181. The additional weight may also form said bearing point 197. It should be noted that for the sake of clarity the bearing point 197 is depicted schematically and merely in FIG. 4a.

[0231] As can be seen in FIGS. 4a and 4b, the rear side wall 181 and the spring clip 192 comprise guide elements 194, 195 which can be brought into engagement with one another.

[0232] Specifically, the spring clip 192 may be provided with a first guide element 194 and a second guide element 194. Preferably, the first guide element 194 and second guide element 194 project from the spring clip 192 in the direction toward the rear side wall 181. The first guide element and the second guide element are preferably arranged on both sides of the spring clip 192 and transversely opposite to a longitudinal axis of the spring clip 192, as can be seen in FIG. 4b. However, the first guide element 194 and second guide element 194 may also be arranged on both sides on the spring clip 192 and offset from each other in the direction toward a longitudinal axis of the spring clip 192. According to a possible embodiment, the first guide element 194 and second guide element 194 may be arranged in the front end region of the spring clip 192, and extend at maximum over a third of the length of the spring clip 192. Specifically, the first guide element 194 and second guide element 194 form guide projections.

[0233] According to the embodiment shown, the rear side wall 181 is provided with a first guide element 195 and a second guide element 195. The first guide element 194 of the spring clip 192 and the first guide element 195 of the rear side wall 181 are designed to be complementary. Likewise, the second guide element 194 of the spring clip 192 and the second guide element 195 of the rear side wall 181 are designed to be complementary. If the first/second guide element 194 of the spring clip 192 are formed by guide projections, the first/second guide element 195 of the rear side wall 181 is formed by guide recesses.

[0234] FIGS. 4C and 4d show a second embodiment of the transport lock 190′, which has an elastically resilient first spring arm arranged on the front side wall 180, which first spring arm has a spring clip 192a and a stop 193 arranged on the protruding end, and an elastically resilient second spring arm arranged on the rear side wall 181, which second spring arm has a spring clip 192b and a stop 193 arranged on the protruding end, wherein the stops 193 each protrude into the access channel 185 and form the stop surfaces 191 on a side wall facing the receiving section 184. In FIG. 4c, the spring clips 192a, 192b are each in a (non deflected) locked position, where the stop surfaces 191 may delimit a relative shift of the hanger 16 in the direction toward the transport lock 190. In the locked position of the spring clips 192a, 192b, the access channel 185 is narrowed in cross-section by the stops 193 to such an extent that a schematically depicted hanger 16 cannot enter the access channel 185. As not shown in further detail, the spring clips 192a, 192b can each be moved in a (deflected) release position, wherein, in the release positions of the spring clips 192a, 192b, the access channel 185 is widened in cross-section to such an extent that a schematically depicted hanger 16 can be fed onto the receiving section 184 via the access channel 185.

[0235] FIGS. 4e and 4f show a third embodiment of the transport lock 190″, which comprises a raised area 196 arranged on the rear side wall 181, which raised area 196 protrudes into the access channel 185 and forms the stop surface 191. The raised area 196 is designed to be essentially rigid and forms an “interfering contour” in the access channel 185, impeding a relative shift of the hanger 16 in the direction toward the transport lock 190. Thereby, a “rising” of the hanger 16 on a guide edge 188 can be permitted to a limited extent on the one hand, and on the other hand, a “de-threading” of the hanger 16 out of the receiving section 184 via the access channel 185 can be hindered. The guide edge 188 and the raised area 196 run into each other (adjoin each other) and enclose an angle, in particular an angle smaller than 150°.Thereby, a hanger 16 “rising” on a guide edge 188 is reverted in the direction of movement at the stop surface 191.

[0236] FIGS. 4g to 4h show a possible embodiment of an overhead conveying device 1 with one of the transport carriers 2′ for transporting a hanging article 3, and the guide device 10, along which the transport carrier 2′ can be moved, and/or the drive device 11, which transfers a driving force onto the transport carrier 2′.

[0237] Additionally, the overhead conveying device 1 may comprise a loading station for automatic loading of the transport carriers 2′ with hanging articles 3, which hang on hangers 16.

[0238] The loading station for automatic loading of the transport carriers 2′ comprises a loading rail 200 arranged below the guide device 10 and extending in parallel to the guide device 10, on which loading rail 200 the hanging articles 3 are fed and on which they are provided.

[0239] The loading rail 200 comprises a provisioning section located upstream, in which the hanging articles 3 can be provided on hangers 16, and a transfer section located downstream, in which the hanging articles 3 can be transferred from the loading rail 200 to the transport carrier 2′.

[0240] The provisioning section forms a guide rest 201, and the transfer section forms a track rest 202.

[0241] With respect to the guide rest 201, the track rest 202 may form a first guideway 203 sloping downwards in the transport direction 4, and in the longitudinal course, an overrun raised area 204 protruding on the first guideway 203.

[0242] The transport carrier 2′ moves the hanger 16 out of the provisioning section shown in FIG. 4g in the transport direction 4 into the transfer section and along the transfer section. In this process, the hanger 16 glides along the guide rest 201 and the track rest 202. Along the track rest 202, the hanger 16 follows the longitudinal course of the guideway 203, so that the hanger 16 is not only moved (in particular continuously) in the transport direction 4 but also in the direction toward the receiving section 184 via the guide channel 185.

[0243] If the overrun raised area 204 is run over by the hanger 16 in the transport direction 4, as shown in FIG. 4h, the spring clip 192 is pushed so far in the direction of the rear side wall 181 that the hanger 16 can be moved via the widened guide channel 185 in the direction toward the receiving section 184. By means of the weight force alone, the hanger 16 pushes (displaces) the spring clip 192 out of the locked position (FIG. 4g) in the direction toward the rear side wall 181 into the release position (FIG. 4h).

[0244] In FIG. 4i, it can be seen that the track rest 202 forms a second guideway 205 downstream of the overrun raised area 204, sloping downwards in the transport direction 4, in order to guide the hanger 16 by means of the track rest 202 after insertion into the access channel 185. This allows a particularly reliable and gentle transfer of the hanger 16 to the transport carrier 2′ although this is in no way to be understood as being mandatory.

[0245] As can be seen in FIG. 4i, the hanger 16 is located in the/on the receiving section 184 and below the transport lock 190, so that the hanger 16 releases the spring clip 192, which is then moved back automatically out of the release position into the locked position.

[0246] The automatic loading of the transport carrier 2′ can be carried out continuously (without standstill).

[0247] FIG. 4j shows the overhead conveying device 1 in a front view and partially in a sectional view. The loading rail 200 can be seen, which has a first rest section 206 and a second rest section 207 extending parallel in the transport direction 4, so that the hanger 16 is at least partially guided along the provisioning section and at least partially along the transfer section in the transport movement.

[0248] At this point, it should be noted that a transport carrier 97 is to be read synonymously in the embodiments in FIGS. 4a to 4j, when the base body 30 and the supporting body 40b are permanently connected to each other.

[0249] FIGS. 8a, 8b, 8c show a possible embodiment of a transport carrier 97 for transporting a hanging article 3 on an overhead conveying device, preferably for the overhead conveying device 1 described above.

[0250] The transport carrier 97 comprises the vertical longitudinal axis 51, the base body 30 with the drive section 31, which may cooperate with the guide device 10 and/or with the drive device 11 of the overhead conveying device 1, and the supporting body 40a, 40b.

[0251] In contrast to the embodiment described above, however, the base body 30 and supporting body 40a are permanently connected to one another. Thus, the connecting device 50 is omitted.

[0252] The base body 30 is constructed as described above and is not described again at this point.

[0253] The supporting body 40a is constructed as described above, and it comprises a first rest section 95 and a second rest section 96 on the lower side wall 90. The first rest section 95 and second rest section 96 are arranged on both sides of a midplane 98 spanned between the front side wall 42 and rear side wall 43 and each offset at a distance from the midplane 98.

[0254] Thereby, the hanger 16 can be positioned between the guide edges 94 and supported on the first rest section 95 and second rest section 96 for transporting the hanging articles 3 on the transport carrier 97. If an unloading station for automatically unloading the transport bag is provided, as it is described in the Austrian patent application AT 520 517 A4 (A50320/2018) and A50059/2019 as well as below, the hanger 16 may be positioned between the guide edges 94 and supported on one of the first/second rest sections 95, 96 during the unloading operation of the transport bag.

[0255] The first rest section 95 and the second rest section 96 comprise edges 99 extending in parallel to each other, the minimum length 100 of which is greater than a minimum opening width 101 between the guide edges 94. The (longitudinal) edges 99 each form a rounded rest surface.

[0256] As depicted in FIG. 8b, the guide edges 94 enclose between them an opening angle “α” of less than 90°. An opening angle “α” of about 30° is particularly preferred. The guide edges 94 each form a rounded guide surface.

[0257] At this point, it should be noted that the transport carrier 97 may optionally comprise the connecting device 50 between the base body 30 and the supporting body 40a, 40b, as described above.

[0258] In other words, the transport carrier according to FIGS. 8a, 8b, 8c may be designed to be formed of multiple parts and comprising an exchangeable transport body 40a, 40b, or the transport carrier is designed as one part and the base body 30/transport body 40a are permanently connected.

[0259] It is also possible that, in turn, the receiving chamber 85 and the identifying means 87 are provided, as described above, wherein the transport carrier identifying section is then located in the drive section 31, as it is not shown in further detail.

[0260] The overhead conveyor system may additionally comprise an unloading station 104 for automatic unloading of the transport bag.

[0261] FIGS. 9, 16a and 16b show the unloading station 104 in different views. It comprises the overhead conveying device 1 for transporting the transport bags into the unloading station 104 and for transporting the transport bags out the unloading station 104, an opening and closing device 139 for adjusting the bag body between the transport position and the loading and/or unloading position, and an unloading device 140 for unloading the bag body adjusted into the opened position.

[0262] The opening and closing device 139 comprises an actuation device for automatic opening and closing of the bag body, by means of which actuation device the frame 19 can be pivoted about the axis 20 relative to the suspended support 17 such that the bag body can be adjusted between the transport position and the loading and/or unloading position.

[0263] According to a possible embodiment, the actuation device comprises a driver mechanism for automated opening and closing of the bag body. The driver mechanism preferably comprises a first driver mechanism 141 and a second driver mechanism 142 which are arranged on both sides and below the overhead conveying device 1 for transporting the transport bag into the unloading station 104 and for transporting the transport bag out of the unloading station 104. In particular, the first driver mechanism 141 and the second driver mechanism 142 are arranged symmetrically to one another with respect to the transport bag, in particular the frame 19. However, in general, only one of the driver mechanisms 141 can be provided.

[0264] The first driver mechanism 141 is affixed to a first support frame 143 and the second driver mechanism 142 is affixed to a second support frame 144. The first support frame 143 and the second support frame 144 are parts of the actuation device.

[0265] In the shown exemplary embodiment, the first driver mechanism 141 comprises a lower guide assembly and an upper guide assembly, the second driver mechanism 142 also comprises a lower guide assembly and an upper guide assembly. The lower guide assembly and the upper guide assembly are arranged on top of one another at a distance such that between the lower guide assembly and the upper guide assembly of the first driver mechanism 141 and between the lower guide assembly and the upper guide assembly of the second driver mechanism 142, in each case, one of the longitudinal struts can be accommodated. The distance essentially corresponds to the diameter of the longitudinal strut 64. However, the first driver mechanism 141 and/or the second driver mechanism 142 can also comprise just the lower guide track.

[0266] The lower guide assembly and, if provided, the upper guide assembly of the first driver mechanism 141 and, if provided, of the second driver mechanism 142 comprise an inlet section 145 located upstream in a transport direction 4 of the transport bag, an outlet section 146 located downstream thereof, and an unloading section 147 located between the inlet section 145 and the outlet section 146. The lower guide assembly and, if provided, the upper guide assembly of the first driver mechanism 141 and/or of the second driver mechanism 142 extend in parallel to the transport direction 4 of the transport bag.

[0267] The inlet section 145 forms a tilted guide track 148 that can be brought into an abutting contact with the frame 19, in particular the longitudinal struts, such that the frame 19 is pivoted during transport of the transport bag into the unloading station 104, whereby the bag body is adjusted from the transport position in the direction of the loading and/or unloading position (FIG. 10).

[0268] The unloading section 147 forms a guide track 149 which is essentially horizontal and which can be brought into an abutting contact with the frame 19, in particular the longitudinal struts, such that the frame 19 is held in the pivoted deflection position during the unloading operation whereby the bag body also remains in the opened position (FIG. 11).

[0269] The outlet section 146 forms a tilted guide track 150 that can be brought into an abutting contact with the frame 19, in particular the longitudinal struts, such that the frame 19 is pivoted during transport of the transport bag out of the unloading station 104, whereby the bag body is adjusted from the loading and/or unloading position in the direction of the transport position (FIG. 14).

[0270] As can be seen in the figures, the unloading device 140 comprises an actuation device 156, by means of which transport bag along with the bag body can be tilted relative to the suspended support 97 (and/or suspended support 2) and about a tilting axis 157 extending essentially in parallel to the longitudinal extension of the overhead conveying device 1 between a provisioning position 158 (FIGS. 11, 16a) and an unloading position 159 (FIGS. 12, 16b), wherein in the unloading position 159, the article 5 can be discharged from the transport bag through the loading and/or unloading opening 24. The article 5 is preferably loaded into a container not depicted, or on a conveying device not depicted, for example a belt conveyor. This container can also represent the shipping cardboard box.

[0271] In a preferred first embodiment, the transport bag, along with the bag body adjusted into the opened position (unloading position), is tilted relative to the suspended support 97 and about the tilting axis 157 between a provisioning position 158 (FIGS. 11, 16a) and an unloading position 159 (FIGS. 12, 16b). In other words, the bag body is adjusted into the unloading position in a precursory first step i) before the unloading—the transport bag is now in the provisioning position 158, and in a subsequent second step ii), the transport bag, along with the bag body adjusted into the unloading position, is pivoted relative to the suspended support 97 and about the tilting axis 157—the transport bag is now in the unloading position 159.

[0272] After the unloading, the transport bag, along with the bag body adjusted into the unloading position, is tilted back from the unloading position 159 (FIGS. 12, 16b) into the provisioning position 158 (FIG. 11, 16a) relative to the suspended support 97 and about the tilting axis 157. Afterwards, the transport bag is transported away by means of the overhead conveying device 1.

[0273] According to a second embodiment, the transport bag is tilted, still during the adjustment movement of the bag body between the transport position and the unloading position, relative to the suspended support 97 and about the tilting axis 157 between the provisioning position 158 and the unloading position 159. In other words, for unloading, the transport bag is tilted from the provisioning position 158 into the unloading position 159 relative to the suspended support 97 and about the tilting axis 157, still during the opening operation of the bag body from the transport position in the direction of the unloading position. Likewise, the transport bag can be tilted from the unloading position 159 into the provisioning position 158 relative to the suspended support 97 and about the tilting axis 157 after unloading and during the closing operation of the bag body from the unloading position in the direction of the transport position.

[0274] The actuation device 156 of the unloading device 140 comprises a frame structure 161 which can be tilted by means of a drive 160 between an initial position and an actuation position about an axis extending in parallel to the transport direction 4 of the transport bag. The drive 160 is for example a fluid cylinder.

[0275] In the depicted embodiment, the frame structure 161 is mounted on a stationary support construction 163 via guide assemblies 162. Each of the guide assemblies 162 comprises a guide track 164 and guide rollers 165, 166 (FIGS. 9, 16a) which rest thereon in a rollable manner The guide tracks comprise the (left) first guide track 164 and the (right) second guide track 164. The first guide track 164 is affixed to a first support frame 167 and the second guide track 164 to a second support frame 168. The frame structure 161 has frame sides opposing one another, wherein the guide rollers 165, 166 are arranged on the first frame side and the guide rollers 165, 166 are arranged on the second frame side.

[0276] As is shown in dashed lines exclusively in FIG. 16b for reasons of clarity, the actuation device of the opening and closing device 139 is mounted on the tiltable frame structure 161.

[0277] Specifically, the first driver mechanism 141 with the first support frame 143 and the second driver mechanism 142 with the second support frame 144 1 is affixed to the frame structure 161 via frame connections 169

[0278] Hence, the opening and closing device 139 is tilted together with the frame structure 161, and the transport bag is held essentially fixed also in the unloading position 159 (between the lower guide assembly and the upper guide assembly of the first driver mechanism 141 and, if available, between the lower guide assembly and the upper guide assembly of the second driver mechanism 144, one of the longitudinal struts each).

[0279] In FIGS. 16a, 16b, the unloading station 104 is shown with the opening and closing device 139. In FIG. 16a, the transport bag is in the provisioning position 158 and the bag body in its unloading position and/or opened position (also see FIG. 11). In FIG. 16b, the transport bag is in the unloading position 159 and the bag body in its unloading position and/or opened position (also see FIG. 12).

[0280] According to this embodiment, the unloading station 104 additionally comprises a locking device 170 for arresting the transport carrier 97 during an unloading operation of the transport bag.

[0281] The locking device 170 comprises an arresting element 172, for arresting the transport carrier 97, movable between an ineffective initial position (16a) and an effective actuation position (FIG. 16b) by means of a drive 171. The arresting element 172 comprises, for example, a stop, against which the front side wall 42, for example, runs and positions the transport carrier 97 in the transport direction 4.

[0282] The unloading station 104 can further comprise a guide device 175 extending in parallel to the transport direction 4 for laterally guiding the transport carrier 97 during a transport movement of the transport carrier 97 through the overhead conveying device 1 for transporting the transport bag unloading station 104 and for transporting the transport bag out of the unloading station 104. Moreover, the guide device 175 is effective during the unloading operation and when the transport bag is tilted between the provisioning position 158 and unloading position 159 relative to the suspended support 97 and about the tilting axis 157, by means of the transport carrier 97 being fixed against a lateral movement (transversely with respect to the transport direction 4) and/or a lateral movement (transversely with respect to the transport direction 4) being limited.

[0283] The method for unloading an article 5 out of a transport bag is described in AT 520 517 A4 (A50320/2018) and is made the subject matter of this disclosure.

[0284] Even though the transport bag described above is particularly suitable for automatic loading and automatic unloading, it is equally possible to load the transport bag manually and to unload it manually. Manual loading and automatic unloading or vice versa is also possible.

[0285] Finally, it should also be noted that the scope of protection is determined by the claims. However, the description and the drawings are to be adduced for construing the claims. Individual features or feature combinations from the different exemplary embodiments shown and described may represent independent inventive solutions. The object underlying the independent inventive solutions may be gathered from the description.

[0286] In particular, it should also be noted that the transport carriers and overhead conveying devices shown may in reality also comprise more or fewer components than those shown. In some cases, the shown transport carriers, and overhead conveying devices and/or their components may not be depicted to scale and/or be enlarged and/or reduced in size.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0287] 1 Overhead conveying device [0288] 2, 2′ Transport carrier [0289] 3 Hanging article [0290] 4 Transport direction [0291] 5 Article(s) [0292] 10 Guide device [0293] 11 Drive device [0294] 12 Profile rail [0295] 13 Friction belt [0296] 14 Driver element [0297] 15 Drive means [0298] 16 Hanger [0299] 17 Suspended support [0300] 18 Axis [0301] 19 Frame [0302] 20 Axis [0303] 21 Front wall [0304] 22 Rear wall [0305] 23a First side edge [0306] 23b Second side edge [0307] 24 Loading and/or unloading opening [0308] 25 Side wall stop [0309] 26a First front wall section [0310] 26b Second front wall section [0311] 27 Base plate [0312] 28a First rear wall section [0313] 28b Second rear wall section [0314] 29 Transport rest [0315] 30 Base body [0316] 31 Drive section [0317] 32 Roller [0318] 33 Friction surface [0319] 34 Engagement surface [0320] 40a Supporting body [0321] 40b Supporting body [0322] 42 Front side wall [0323] 43 Rear side wall [0324] 50 Connecting device [0325] 51 Longitudinal axis [0326] 52 Supporting body connecting section [0327] 53 Base body connecting section [0328] 54 Receiving opening [0329] 55 Suspension hook [0330] 56 Front wall [0331] 57 Rear wall [0332] 60 Profile groove [0333] 61 Profile projection [0334] 62 Undercut [0335] 63 Insertion opening [0336] 64 Profile web [0337] 65 Profile head [0338] 66 Insertion direction [0339] 67 Material web [0340] 68 Locking element [0341] 69 Spring clip [0342] 70 Locking lug [0343] 71 Locking element [0344] 72 Locking opening [0345] 80 Receiving slot [0346] 81 Support surface [0347] 82 Access channel [0348] 85 Receiving chamber [0349] 86 Opening slot [0350] 87 Identifying means [0351] 88 Spring arm [0352] 89 Transport carrier identifying section [0353] 90 Lower side wall [0354] 91 Upper side wall [0355] 92 Lower wall section [0356] 93 Upper wall section [0357] 94 Guide edge [0358] 95 First rest section [0359] 96 Second rest section [0360] 97 Transport carrier [0361] 98 Midplane [0362] 99 Edge [0363] 100 Minimum length [0364] 101 Opening width [0365] 104 Unloading station [0366] 139 Opening and closing device [0367] 140 Unloading device [0368] 141 Driver mechanism [0369] 142 Driver mechanism [0370] 143 Support frame [0371] 144 Support frame [0372] 145 Inlet section [0373] 146 Outlet section [0374] 147 Unloading section [0375] 148 Guide track [0376] 149 Guide track [0377] 150 Guide track [0378] 156 Actuation device of the unloading device [0379] 157 Tilting axis [0380] 158 Provisioning position [0381] 159 Unloading position [0382] 160 Drive [0383] 161 Frame structure [0384] 162 Guide assembly [0385] 163 Support construction [0386] 164 Guide track [0387] 165 Guide roller [0388] 166 Guide roller [0389] 167 Support frame [0390] 168 Support frame [0391] 169 Frame connection [0392] 170 Locking device [0393] 171 Drive [0394] 172 Arresting element [0395] 175 Guide device [0396] 180 Front side wall [0397] 181 Rear side wall [0398] 182 Lower side wall [0399] 183 Upper side wall [0400] 184 Receiving section [0401] 185 Access channel [0402] 188 Guide edge [0403] 190 Transport lock [0404] 190′ Transport lock [0405] 190″ Transport lock [0406] 191 Stop surface [0407] 192 Spring clip [0408] 192a, 192b Spring clip [0409] 193 Stop [0410] 194 Guide element [0411] 195 Guide element [0412] 196 Raised area [0413] 197 Bearing point [0414] 200 Loading rail [0415] 201 Guide rest [0416] 202 Track rest [0417] 203 Guideway [0418] 204 Overrun raised area [0419] 205 Guideway [0420] 206 Rest section [0421] 207 Rest section